St. Michaels

St. Michaels Ethics Commission Must Hear Complaint, Judge says

January 9, 2020 by Spy Staff

The Circuit Court of Talbot County has ruled that the St. Michaels Ethics Commission must hear a conflict-of-interest complaint filed by the St. Michaels Action Committee against Commissioner William Boos.

In May of 2019 the ethics commission dismissed SMAC’s complaint against Boos following a closed hearing on April 25, where SMAC was not notified and therefore could not participate in the proceeding.

SMAC had filed a complaint with the ethics commission on April 10, alleging Boos had a conflict of interest in considering locations for new town hall and police station–due to Boos’ business relationship with The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, which had been actively seeking to purchase town owned property at 301 Mill St., a location under consideration for the new town hall.

At the July 11, 2018 Commissioners’ meeting, Boos had recommended a location other than 301 Mill St. for the new town hall.

“At the time Mr. Boos was spearheading the town’s effort to build a new town office,” said a statement from SMAC on Jan. 6. “One of the prime locations available is a large town-owned lot which the museum is actively trying to acquire from the town” at 301 Mill St.

Boos is the Delmarva Regional Manager for Curtis Stokes & Associates Yacht Brokerage, which has a brokerage agreement with the museum.

In September of 2018, Boos asked the ethics commission to consider whether there was a conflict of interest because of his employment with Curtis Stokes & Associates. In January of 2019 the ethics commission cleared him of any conflicts.

The Circuit Court of Talbot County ruled last week that the ethics commission must hold a public hearing on the complaint against Boos.

In his ruling, Judge Stephen H. Kehoe said the ethics commission used “used an unlawful procedure” to dismiss the complaint.

“The failure to grant SMAC an evidentiary hearing that would allow it to call witnesses, produce evidence and cross examine other witnesses was an abuse of discretion,” Koe wrote.

“SMAC is gratified by the Court’s decision, said SMAC’s John Novak. “We have always seen this case as a matter of fundamental fairness to the citizens of St. Michaels. It is unfortunate that the Town Commissioners have invested time and taxpayer money in an effort to deprive these citizens of their right to bring complaints before the Ethics Commission and have them fairly heard. SMAC looks forward to a hearing on the merits before the Ethics Commission.”

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Short Story Group To Discuss O. Henry and Truman Capote

January 8, 2020 by Spy Agent 9 -- 00 Section

Next Thursday, January 9th, the Short Story Group will discuss two great American writers: O. Henry and Truman Capote.

O. Henry published most of his short stories at the beginning of the nineteenth century. His main inspiration were the ordinary people he watched in New York City hotels and streets. The focus of the discussion will be The Gift of The Magi. Still, others of his short stories such as The Cop and the Anthem, The Last Leaf, and The Furnished Room are classics of American Literature.

Truman Capote was mostly known by his novels: In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But, he also wrote three short stories in the fifties: Miriam, the outstanding Shut a Final Door, and the short story that will be discussed at the meeting, A Christmas Memory, .

All are welcome to join the discussions. The meeting will start at 3:00 p.m. at the Saint Michaels Library.

CBMM Shipwrights to Restore Oldest Existing Log Canoe

December 10, 2019 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

This winter, shipwrights at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., will take on the restoration of a subject they’re all too familiar with — a Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoe.

Part of CBMM’s small craft collection, Glide is a three-log canoe believed to have been built c. 1864 at Town Point in Dorchester County, Md., by Washington Hammond Skinner (1823-1901). Originally called Monkey, it is believed to be the oldest existing Chesapeake Bay log canoe and was donated to CBMM in 2018 by John T. Adams, Jr.

Three-log canoe Glide

“This project is an opportunity for visitors to observe as our shipwrights conserve one of our most historic vessels,” said Associate Curator of Collections Jenifer Dolde. “Curatorial staff will document each step of the process as we uncover the mysteries of Glide’s log-hull construction, replacing decayed wood in order to preserve the canoe for years to come.”

CBMM’s Shipyard staff, led by Joe Connor, will work to restore Glide to sailable condition without doing a complete overhaul of the historic canoe’s log hull. The primary focus of their work will be resplining two primary log joints to increase their strength and water-tight capabilities while maintaining the mechanical biscuit fasteners original to the vessel. Their goal is to sail Glide by the end of summer 2020 before returning the canoe to sit on display in CBMM’s Small Boat Shed. All work will be done in adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation.

CBMM’s working Shipyard has previously built two log canoes—Bufflehead (2014–2015) and Caroline (2018-2019)— and completed a historic restoration of 1889 bugeye Edna Lockwood, another log-hull Chesapeake Bay-built boat, in 2018.

“There’s no other Shipyard in the world more experienced in working on Bay-built log canoes,” Connor said. “We’re always excited for an opportunity to help preserve a vital piece of Chesapeake Bay history and to teach both the public and our apprentices more about traditional wooden boatbuilding.”

Photo courtesy of John T. Adams, Jr.

For most of its history, Glide used for pleasure, but not for racing. John T. Adams Sr. acquired the boat in 1962 from Raymond Ziegler of Cambridge, who bought the boat in the early 20^th century from Earle Orem, a mayor of Cambridge. In 1943, marine architect Howard I. Chapelle restored Glide and took its lines. Unusual among surviving Chesapeake Bay log canoes, Glide’slogs are joined with wooden mortise and tenon rather than the iron drifts typical of later log canoes.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s working Shipyard preserves traditional Chesapeake Bay wooden boatbuilding skills and techniques through living traditions, experiential archaeology, and education from youth to adults. A tangible connection to the Chesapeake’s rich history boatbuilding, shipwrights are dedicated to passing on skills and knowledge necessary to carry the wooden boat tradition forward. To learn more about CBMM’s Shipyard, its staff, and its current restoration and construction projects, visit cbmmshipyard.org.

Stars Over Talbot Benefit SMCC Dec. 15 – Jan. 15

December 10, 2019 by St. Michaels Community Center

The St. Michaels Community Center is inviting the public to help the community while spreading holiday greetings, or honoring a loved one, by purchasing a personalized star to have hung on Talbot Street in St. Michaels from Dec. 15 – Jan. 15.

“Each $50 star will benefit the people served by the Community Center’s soup kitchen, and all our programs and activities,” said SMCC Executive Director Trish Payne. “Plus, all the stars on Talbot Street make for such a festive holiday season. We’re extremely grateful for the much-needed support.”

Participants are not limited in the number of stars purchased, and can be reserved by calling 410-745-6073 or emailing trish@stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to promote and provide quality activities and services that will contribute to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from the Treasure Cove Thrift Shop in St. Michaels, Md. help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area, with more at stmichaelscc.org.

Letters: St. Michaels Citizens on Town Hall Plans

December 9, 2019 by Spy Desk

Editor’s note. The following St. Michaels residents asked the Talbot Spy to publish their letters in response to an article in a community newsletter called The Lantern representing the St. Michaels Action Committee (SMAC) regarding a new town hall project.

The Lantern from November, 2019

Views of David Braly

My spouse and I had dinner with some of our neighbors this past Sunday, and the subject of “The Lantern”, which we all had received and read, was discussed. I will say at the outset that everyone expressed support of the Town Commission’s decision to move forward with a new town hall on the Fremont Street site, and that we believe consolidation of important city services on this street will benefit the town and all the citizens it serves. We were equally in favor of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum having the opportunity to acquire the adjacent town property on Mill Street to further enhance its world-class mission and reputation, which is a credit to our community, benefiting us immensely.

I was impressed with the consideration and thoroughness with which the proposed new town hall was presented by the design team this past spring. And, by the open and forthright Q & A period that followed it. I am not 100% sold on the building’s aesthetic, but I believe it has been well thought out functionally and well planned to serve our community now and in the future. Further, it will complete an arrangement of civic services and institutions already in place: police station, library, town parking, community center, and bring substantial improvement to a too-often overlooked part of town.

Admittedly less impressive is the adjusted cost estimate for the project; a change from $342 p.s.f. to $554 p.s.f. However, I think some of this is due to the increased square footage requiring multi-floor construction, the need for stairs and elevator, and other building systems and equipment. Some is due to providing state of the art technology, and more durable, low-maintenance materials—all of which will serve the town for years to come. Add to this the increase in construction costs and administration since the project’s conception, and it is not hard to reconcile the cost increase. Institutional construction like this is an investment in the future, and must take into account future needs; not simply address present-day ones. I would like to see if this estimate can be trimmed, but I do not think it is too far out of line for this area of the country.

You may have a point concerning the fairness of the site analysis process, though it seems that you are saying both sites are undesirable—but without specifically saying why the Fremont site is so. In my experience as a design professional, it is not generally a good idea to build on a site prone to flooding, or one that contains sensitive underground infrastructure; the cost of special foundation work, such as caisson and grade beam, is higher than average. In addition, a pumping and drainage system might be required. Negotiating the buried sewer pipes to avoid damage and interruption of performance, and to enable repair and replacement adds to the cost. If, as you suggest, the police station could be moved to the Mill Street site, a considerable and unnecessary expense would be incurred.

None of these obstacles exist on the Fremont Street site, yet you deem it “unsafe.” Why?

Putting these practical and quantifiable aspects aside, I want to address a more troubling aspect of your document. Despite a trend toward incivility in this country, I think most people still take a dim view of anonymity in public affairs—especially in a small town, where everyone knows everybody and their business. Attacking some unnamed public officials is to attack them all; sowing doubt and discord among those who elected them. Inferring that some public officials are acting improperly “behind the scenes”, and failing to make a proper public complaint, is irresponsible—so is making assertions and using hyperbolic expressions without backing them up with facts or evidence. Hiding behind a seemingly benign committee name, while making such accusations, makes a mockery of the transparency you say you desire and which we all deserve.

A true lantern sheds light all around, not just in one direction.

Sincerely yours,

David K. Braly
St. Michaels, MD

Views of Bradley Hower

I received your copy of The Lantern and have a couple of observations.

If cost were a genuine concern, SMAC would not have filed a frivolous lawsuit against the town, forcing the town to spend taxpayer funds defending itself.

If transparency were a genuine concern, you would sign your letters.

My wife and I moved here nearly 30 years ago to raise our children because it was a welcoming, friendly, neighborly kind of place. Neighbors and complete strangers reached out to help, there was a very clear sense of community. This village helped raise our children and we are grateful for it. It was not utopia, lots of maintenance had been deferred, some adjacent neighborhoods were poorly served. But the community addressed those issues and a lot has changed for the better.

SMAC’s attack seriously undermines the very qualities that have attracted so many to come here. It has taken a really mean turn of late and it is sad. Town meetings are open, go there and speak your piece. But do not presume to represent the community, we elected commissioners to do that.

Bradley Hower
St Michaels MD 21663

Views of John Garland

Yesterday we received a copy of “The Lantern” letter in our post office box. Several of our neighbors say they also received a similar letter. Not only is there no sender’s name on the envelope, the enclosed letter wasn’t signed. I recall a 4th grade teacher once saying back in the 1970’s as we were learning to write letters, “if you don’t sign it then it’ll go in the trash.” However, because we are full-time St. Michaels’ residents the letter’s first paragraph piqued our interest. We read it – and were disappointed in its tone, content, and intent.

We enthusiastically support the Fremont Street location and live on the same side of town but at the opposite end of Fremont Street (Dodson Avenue). We believe municipal investment for the new town office on Fremont Street is an incredibly important development for this side of Town. As you know, most of the Town’s working class live on our side of Talbot Street and this side of town is in desperate need of ongoing municipal investment.

Here are a few points on this topic that we believe are important:

1. Unsigned and anonymous letters sent to the entire town’s residents are never a good way to make an argument and are an indication of cowardice and ill intent on behalf of the sender.

2. What exactly do you mean by “unsafe”? – use of that word seems pejorative in this context.

3. Modern municipal buildings are important indicators of the overall vitality and future-thinking of a community.

4. You may have noticed the Smithsonian’s web address ends in .edu (www.si.edu) indicating its primary mission as an educational institution. Although the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s web address ends in .org it is indeed an educational institution with a growing campus and is an indisputable cornerstone of our community. Any view otherwise is simply shortsighted and unfortunate – and potentially dangerous for the future health of our community. Any opportunity the CBMM might have to purchase a campus-adjacent piece of property is a positive sign for our community.

5. Having attended several COSM meetings and read most, if not all, COSM minutes including details related to the Fremont Street decision, the decision seems sound and in the entire Town’s best interest. Here are a few of your red herrings and what we think of them:

a. Lot too small – There are large buildings on small lots throughout this town and it never seems to be an issue, including those for businesses. This is a small town that literally takes no more than 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Accessibility for people with disabilities to the new town office has been fully planned. Frankly, several businesses in town attract more traffic than the Town office will ever attract – yet the new Town office will have its own parking as outlined in the plan.

b. Costs – costs have been detailed in the plans and seem reasonable for location and price per square foot.

c. Bullying commissioners via anonymous letter – it’s one thing to simply disagree, but to think commissioners should be bullied into another point of view simply because a series of informed, publicized, and clear votes didn’t go the way of the anonymous letter writer(s) speaks for itself.

6. There’s no question that in-fill development within any town is a win-win for everyone, especially for areas where long-term development is needed such as Fremont Street.

7. We support a larger plan that includes some type of Fremont Street development initiative that runs from the proposed new Town office all the way to Dodson Avenue. You may not realize it, but many locals on our side of town use Fremont Street as our ‘Talbot St’ to get from one part of town to another. We need municipal development to improve pedestrian walkways, overall revitalization, and to support existing businesses, churches, and community organizations – the new Town Office is our opportunity.

8. Please send us a list of all members of SMAC so that we may reach out to them directly and transparently.

John Garland
St. Michaels, MD 21663

Views of Jeff McGuiness

This Thanksgiving, there was much to be grateful for in St. Michaels. The Perkins family brought our community a stunning new YMCA, a remarkable facility for a town as small as we are. The Motor Museum led by the DuPonts with its beautiful Amish barn and restored buildings along with the collection of classic motor vehicles has become a new dimension among the town’s tourist attractions. The Hockadays took the abandoned Acme building in the heart of town and created a vibrant commercial venue. Kristen Greenaway’s vision at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is drawing people from far and wide in record numbers, and its shipyard is now constructing a replica of the Dove which brought the first settlers to Maryland in 1634. In July, the St. Michaels Commissioners held St. Michaels Night Out, a joyous celebration of our town during which Harold Baines was honored and Seymour Street named after him. All these folks are St. Michaels heroes.

Unfortunately, amidst these positive developments is an ugly dispute over the construction of the town’s new office and meeting hall. The current one is wedged into a mid-20^th century rambler in the middle of St. Michaels’ main tourist district. Most agree that a new office is needed, but battle lines have been drawn over where it should be located, how much should be spent, and what it should look like.

St. Michaels has a slow, deliberative process for making zoning and construction decisions. One tool it uses is its Comprehensive Plan which in 2015 designated Fremont Street, a neglected area of town, for development. The town’s library, police station and two municipal parking lots are now on that street. Work is underway to construct the new town office on Fremont, the logical next addition.

Not everyone, however, views this step as positive one, most notably the St. Michaels Action Committee or SMAC led by John Novak. SMAC wants the new office located on a lot on Mill Street adjacent to the Maritime Museum, Crab Claw Restaurant and Patriot cruise ship.

There are a number of problems with placing the office there, beyond the fact that our government center shouldn’t be in the heart of a tourist district. The property in question has a sewage pumping station on it, and several sewage lines come to an apex underneath it, limiting its development potential. Part of the property and the street in front of it flood during king tides which means that access to any office building on it would be reduced as sea levels rise. It is noteworthy that during the many months of development of the town’s current Comprehensive Plan before the Planning Commission, not once did anyone propose putting the town office on the pumping station property.

In addition, the property is zoned Maritime Museum. Thirty years ago, the town’s planning process determined the lot should go to the Maritime Museum when it had the resources to purchase it which it now has. Talbot County history is replete with examples that unless most everyone agrees with a proposed zoning change, particularly those negatively impacted, it will likely never happen.

SMAC, nevertheless, brought a lawsuit against the Town earlier this year because it felt its voice wasn’t being heard, an intimidation action that is likely to cost taxpayers well over $75,000. Now SMAC has sent a letter to everyone in St. Michaels saying that it will be seeking a petition referendum directing the St. Michaels commissioners to conduct a study of the property, apparently to determine its suitability for construction and figure out its value. In a lengthy video published by The Spy a few weeks ago, Mr. Novak makes the implausible claim that the property is worth $1 million.

Many of us in St. Michaels would like to see the town continue its positive trajectory and move beyond this puzzling and divisive situation. Four of us sent our thoughts to SMAC after receiving its letter, and we wanted to share them with the community in the hope that we can start 2020 with this dispute behind us. It’s time for St. Michaels to have a fresh start.

Jeff McGuiness
St. Michaels, MD 21663

Tidewater Singers to Present An A Cappella Christmas 2019

December 9, 2019 by Spy Desk

The Tidewater Singers will present an a cappella concert spanning early music by Giovanni Gabrieli and Jan Sweelink through contemporary favorite, Ola Gjeilo plus perennial chestnuts (and surprises) on December 13 at 7:30pm at Trinity Cathedral in Easton; on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm at Christ Church in St. Michaels; and on Sunday, December 15 at 4:00pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge.

Under the direction of William Thomas, the Tidewater Singers is a choral ensemble based in Talbot County that is renowned for its a cappella performances. The group was founded in 2001 with the goal of bringing varied and exciting quality music to the Eastern Shore.

Commenting on the concert, Thomas said, “the salve of a cappella music is always medicinal to the soul, but at Christmas time it seems to have an even greater effect on us. Audiences continuously tell us how much they enjoy and value our a cappella singing.”

Tidewater Singers

Now in his twelfth season as artistic director of the Tidewater Singers, Thomas is organist/choir director at Christ Church in St. Michaels and is associate professor of music at Chesapeake College. In April 2020, Tidewater Singers and Chesapeake College are collaborating on a performance of Craig Johnson’s, “Considering Matthew Shepard.”

Advance tickets for the Easton and St. Michaels performances may be purchased online at www.tidewatersingers.org and at Cracker Jacks in Easton, or leave a message for Tidewater Singers at 1-888-752-0023 or tidewatersingers@gmail.com. Information and tickets for the Cambridge performance are available at 410-228-3161.

The Tidewater Singers gratefully acknowledges the funding it has received from the Talbot County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

Upcoming Programming at the Library December 16 & 19

December 5, 2019 by Talbot County Free Library

Children to Read with a Pets-on-Wheels Therapy Dog at Easton Library

On Monday, December 16, at 4:00 p.m., the Easton branch of the Talbot County Free Library invites children 5 and older to bring a book or choose one from the library’s shelves to read with Janet Dickey and her dog, Tiger. All library programs are free and open to the public. Patrons do not need to pre-register to participate in this program. For more information, please call the library at 410-822-1626, or visit tcfl.org.

St. Michaels Library to Offer Family “Unplugged” Games

On Thursday, December 19, at 3:30 p.m., the St. Michaels branch of the Talbot County Free Library invites patrons to bring the whole family in to the library for an afternoon of board games and fun educational children’s games. This program is for all ages, though children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All library programs are free and open to the public. Patrons do not need to pre-register to participate in this program. For more information, please call the library at 410-822-1626, or visit tcfl.org.

Letter to Editor: Federal Excise Tax Imposed on Craft Spirits

December 4, 2019 by Letter to Editor

I own and operate LYON Distilling Company in Saint Michaels, Maryland. For the past six years we have made remarkable American rum & whiskey here on the Eastern Shore, hired and trained dozens of people, delighted thousands of visitors, and become a community partner to local organizations through continued support and sustainable philanthropy.

I am writing to raise the awareness of a key issue facing small, craft distillers across the U.S. If Congress does not act by December 31, 2019, Federal Excise Taxes on small distillers will rise by 400%. We are urging the U.S. Congress to act as soon as possible to prevent this.

America’s craft distilling industry has gone from “emerging” to “exploding” in the last decade. When we opened LYON there were just over 100 craft distilleries across the country, and only one operating in Maryland. Today, there are over 2,000, with nearly 30 in Maryland. The craft spirits industry is experiencing a true renaissance – spirit manufacturing has returned to small towns and cities across America, and customers are more educated, interested, and invested in, local, innovative spirits.

Unfortunately for distillers and consumers, the Federal Excise Tax imposed on craft spirits has been disproportionately high for years. In 2017, for the first time in recent history, Congress lowered the Federal Excise Tax for craft distillers. This effectively provided parity with the craft beer and wine industries that enjoyed a lower tax based on their small size as well, which in turn led to the incredible boom in craft beers and boutique wineries.

The lower tax is indeed having the impact that Congress envisioned it would. Small distilleries like us are re-investing in their businesses, hiring new employees, purchasing American-made equipment, and seeking out American agriculture products. LYON has invested in new equipment to expand production 10x over, increased our physical footprint to nearly double the size of our original space, launched distribution in 5 states, and grown a team of 12 employees.

This provision enjoys wide support in Congress. 75 Senators and over 300 House Members have co-sponsored legislation to make this a permanent feature of the tax code. We reiterate our call for Congress to act by the end of 2019 to keep the lower tax rate in place for craft distillers and to allow the spirits renaissance to continue!

Jaime Windon
CEO/Founder | Lyon Distilling Company
President | Maryland Distillers Guild

St Michaels: Short Story Book Club

December 3, 2019 by Spy Agent 9 -- 00 Section

Short on time, but love to read? You might consider joining the St. Michaels Short Story Group. The Group, who met for the first time in November, is tailored for readers and writers interested in discussing the art of great authors and is focused on short stories, as they do not represent a significant investment of time and can be read on one sitting.

Last month the Group discussed The Cask of Amontillado, considered by many as the perfect short story. Published by E. A. Poe in 1846, the story is structured so that no words are wasted, and each paragraph contributes to the development and unity of the plot. Now, the Group’s attention will be focused on reading and ‘savoring’ two short stories published approximately at the same time in Russia by Nikolay Gogol, one of the most relevant Russian writers of the nineteenth century: The Nose (1836), and The Overcoat (1842).

The Nose, is about a man who, after losing his nose, meets it walking in the streets. It is approximately 11 pages and is probably one of the first stories to venture into the absurd.

The second story, The Overcoat, is around 13 pages and is quite deeper in its message. It is a criticism of bureaucracy, a common element of Gogol’s works, and provokes the reader into a reflection about hopes and frustrations of common men.

Both stories are available for free at the Project Gutenberg site.

The next discussion will take place on December 5th at 3:30, at the St. Michaels Library. Meetings are free and typically run one hour. Two additional meetings are scheduled for January.

All friends of the Talbot Spy are welcome to attend.

Holiday Tradition Returns to St. Michaels Dec. 14

December 3, 2019 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

As part of the annual Christmas in St. Michaels festivities, interpretive volunteers from the Chesapeake Independent Blues and the Fort McHenry Guard will return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum this December to re-create the early 19^th century tradition of firing guns to celebrate the Christmas season.

Hosted by interpretive volunteers of the Fort McHenry Guard and Chesapeake Independent Blues, the program will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon–12:30pm along CBMM’s Miles River waterfront. As part of the program, volunteers in authentic uniforms of the Maryland Militia during the War of 1812 will demonstrate the loading and firing of reproduction muskets.

“The traditions of celebrating Christmas, and the firing of guns, had been brought to the Americas by Swiss, Scandinavian, and German-speaking immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries,” said Mark Dubin, a founding member of the Chesapeake Independent Blues. “It is probable that the militia of St. Michaels would have fired the Town’s artillery for notable occasions such as the 4th of July, New Year’s Day, and Christmas, beginning as early as 1814.”

The Chesapeake Independent Blues was formed in 2012 as part of a State of Maryland grant matched by public funds from the Eastern Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s to create a living history representation of the Maryland citizen-soldiers who served during the War of 1812. A member of Maryland’s non-profit Friends of Maryland’s War of 1812 organization, the CIB focuses on public education, and refers to its volunteer members as interpreters, rather than re-enactors.

The Fort McHenry Guard is a historical organization sponsored by the National Park Service and The Patriots of Fort McHenry. The Guard is composed of specially recruited “Volunteers in Parks” who provide visitors with a touchstone to the past.

The Dec. 14 program is free for CBMM members or with general museum admission. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916. For details on the annual Christmas in St. Michaels celebration, visit christmasinstmichaels.org.

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